New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on November 29, 2022) follows:

Google Pixel phones are simply backed by one of the best Android operating systems. They come with amazing cameras and speedy software and also receive regular security updates.

With its recent Pixel 7 series, Google has once again shown that they can go head-to-head with some the most popular Android devices in the market.

Despite their growing popularity, Google Pixel devices — like any other — are not immune to various bugs and issues.

google-pixel-5a-inline

That being said, some Google Pixel 5a owners (1,2,3,4,5) have been experiencing an issue where their phone gets stuck on a black screen of death or doesn’t turn on.

Google-pixel-5a-black-screen-of-death
Source (Click/tap to view)

Seems like a known issue after the October update- Motherboard-etc- Perfectly good 5A just bricked overnight- Google says 5 days out of warranty- Google support unhelpful says send in for out for at cost repair- What are other folks doing in this situation ?
Source

It seems that the issue isn’t really triggered by any update but is entirely random. Surprisingly, we observed a similar issue with Pixel 7 devices too.

Moreover, the October security update also triggered bricking and bootloop in various Pixels models. Given the recency of Pixel 5a reports, it’s possible the black screen of death could be related to this same update.

It’s worth noting that Google announced a year of extended warranty for some Pixel 5a black screen issues back in June 2022, so you may want to try filling this form to see if you’re covered.

But some Pixel 5a owners are already calling for a class action lawsuit, although not everyone is buying into this idea.

Google-Pixel-5a-black-screen-of-death
Source (Click/tap to view)

No acknowledgment in sight

Google hasn’t commented on the latest issue where Pixel 5a devices are stuck on the black screen of death. We also haven’t come across any workarounds that can help fix the issue.

We will keep track of the latest developments and update this story as and when we come across anything noteworthy.

Update 1 (December 15, 2022)

01:34 pm (IST): A Redditor described in a post how he managed to get a new device from Google after the company refused to honor the warranty due to the ‘black screen of death’.

Basically, the Redditor tweeted to the @MadeByGoogle account. Later, he got an email from Google Investor Relations to whom he wrote a detailed letter describing the situation and his experience with the company’s support.

You can read all the details described by the Redditor (including the letter sent) at this link.

Update 2 (January 17, 2023)

03:13 pm (IST): After contacting Google support, a customer had his Pixel 5a fixed by UBreakIFix, who were able to repair it with only a screen replacement under Google’s extended warranty policy.

However, the replaced device is also experiencing the black screen issue.

Pixel 5a issue
Source

Update 3 (April, 2023)

12:56 pm (IST): As more and more users (1,2,3) report experiencing this problem, it’s clear that it is a persistent issue. Despite this, Google hasn’t acknowledged this issue.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google section so be sure to follow them as well.

Featured image source: Google

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Riya Madaan
868 Posts

Weaving a little bit of life into the articles I write. No, not really! That's not really possible for a trash writer like me but I still try. Apart from it, I skate, meditate and medicate. Also keep myself away from troubles as I age.

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